Setting the Stage for McLaren's Demise?

For the diehard racing fans, the results of last Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix just couldn't be better.

Before the race, Lewis Hamilton was leading the Championship standings over Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen by 12 and 17 points respectively. To be crowned the World Champion, all he had to do was to finish the race in front of both of them.

And for those who hoped the title to be decided in the final round in Brazil, the best scenario would be for Raikkonen finishing ahead of Alonso, with Hamilton not scoring any point.

And boy their wishes did come true.

Hamilton started on pole, and was leading comfortably early on. For nearly an hour or so, he was the virtual World Champion on the track, and rumours started circulating in the paddocks that his disgruntled teammate Alonso will drive for another team in the next RACE, having failed to defend his title.

But disaster struck when Hamilton finally had to pit to replace his rapidly deteriorating rear tyres. In a virtuoso display of his exceptional talent, Hamilton has not made any mistake this season. But he finally did at the most inopportune moment. The rear tyres gave way just as he was negotiating the tight pitlane entrance, and he was stranded in the gravel trap.

And as has been written in the script, Raikkonen took this opportunity with both hands and scored his fifth victory of the season. Alonso was promptly second.

While Hamilton remains top of the standings with 107 points, Alonso is just four points behind with 103, and Raikkonen is third with 100. All three are in contention for this year's world title.

And in a tumultuous season for the McLaren team, it wouldn't be surprising to see its feuding drivers taking each other out, for Raikkonen to emerge with an improbable title.